Norristown Area High School's video production classes hold first 24-hour telethon in school's history

By
Katie Bambi Kohler, The Times Herald

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

NORRISTOWN — From Monday, June 2 to Tuesday, June 3, students of Norristown Area High School’s video production classes produced a 24-hour live telethon.

The programming was simulcast on NASDtv, the school district channel (Verizon 45, Comcast 28) and entirely student run under the direction of John Doyle, the video production teacher. The marathon schedule featured various interviews including newly-appointed head football coach Jason Powel, student leaders, clubs advisors, academic heads-of-the-class and community members from various organizations such as Norristown’s Men of Excellence and Centre Theater.

Juniors Ben Detweiler and Andrew Baltrus concocted the idea in the beginning of the school year. During the last two months they worked to schedule interviews and work out the details.

“The administration was really helpful, we are thankful for them,” said Detweiler. “This is the greatest year of my high school career. I have had so much fun here and consider this place to be my second home. To be able to do this, it’s really awesome and it’s my real home for the night.”

“You learn more in this class in terms of real world application,” said Baltrus. “Mr. Doyle is the most influential teacher I have ever had. You get the ability to grow as a person. He gives us freedom to explore our creative expressions.”

Proceeds of the telethon will go to special needs camp Dragonfly Rainforest and NASDtv. The Communications Department’s various needs include repairs for the GlobeCaster Switcher — an essential piece of equipment — new HD cameras, a soundboard and one editor. NASDtv produces 350 programs and the new equipment would allow them to hopefully increase that number while students are able to work on independent projects. NASDtv recently began a massive project of digitizing and posting its entire video library on YouTube. The 5000 programs dating back to 1976 consist of news, concerts, information segments and games.

“We’ve been experiencing a lot of technical issues. In the first 20 minutes of the telethon we had tech issues where we had audio but no picture. We do need equipment to help us not have these issues,” said senior Brianne “Breezy” Hagel. Hagel and Detweiler co-host “Eagles Eye,” the most popular program.

“It’s a really good way to go out. I get to sleep over my school the last day I’m here,” said the Penn State bound Hagel. “I’m glad I did it. I knew if I didn’t I would regret it and it will be nice to say I did the first ever 24-hour telethon.”

By 10:30 p.m., students scarfed down Taco Bell and chugged Red Bull to fuel their stamina. Juniors Josh Roberts and Jade Beers-Champagne performed the comedy classic “Whose on First?” skit. Open Words, a poetry event at Jus Java, sent in a pre-recorded promo. Students sang and made sandwiches and Baltrus read the news as Detweiler and Hagel handled the transitions.

“Students have been on air since 7 a.m., it’s their 15th hour. They’ve been extraordinary,” said Doyle. “It doesn’t mean they aren’t kids ... but when the interviews happen they just rock them. They know how to do interviews because they have been doing it all year and know how to work together as a team.”

By 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, $1,600 was raised; however, Doyle and his students noted that the goal of the telethon wasn’t just about raising money but pushing them towards new levels of production.

“The money aside, more than anything, Norristown Area High School is doing a 24-hour telethon on TV live with high school students who some people in the community don’t believe in at all. My kids here have decided they are going to do something extraordinary, not ordinary, not hard, something impossible. If we make it to 7:30 a.m., it’s an impossible act. I want them to know their worth so the community can find that out, too,” said Doyle.

Follow NASDtv on Twitter @nasdtv or subscribe to the YouTube channel. Make requests for programs or donate by emailing NASDtv@gmail.com.